Former Harlem Globetrotter Archie Talley will be in Dillon later this month to speak to local youth about “The Ingredients Of Life.”

The free event will be held on June 24th at 1 p.m. at the City of Dillon Wellness Center. All youth are invited.

Talley, now a motivational speaker, will bring a meaningful message, mixed with some basketball tricks and humor, on the keys to success, the power of education, self-esteem, healthy living, and role models.

During his presentation, Talley will address the four “proven elements” of success—confidence, determination, hard work, and sacrifice. He will talk about the power of education, how once one learns something it cannot be taken away, and the special people called teachers. He will also talk about believing in yourself, never saying the word “can’t”, the importance of nutrition and fitness, role models and staying away from alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. The presentation is expected to last about an hour.

“Archie Talley’s message ‘The Ingredients of Life’ focuses on the importance of making the right choices that will lead to success in life: confidence, determination, hard work, and sacrifice. The S.C. Education and Economic Development Act of 2005 know as Personal Pathways to Success, overall goal is the improvement of our workforce which begins with our youth. Making sure that each student begins their career exploration and preparation early…before they graduate from high school. Many employers in S.C. cannot find employees with the necesary educational skills or soft skills that match their workforce needs. Mr. Talley’s message reiterates the goal of Personal Pathways by reinforcing to our youth that ‘Yes, you are accountable for your future; therefore, make the right choices today,’” said Cheryl H. Lewis, coordinator, Pee Dee Regional Education Center.

Talley is a graduate of Salem University in West Virginia where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Relations and a Masters Degree in Education. In 1976, he was the leading college basketball scorer in the country with an average of 41.1 points per game. In addition to being the all-time leading collegiate basketball scorer in West Virginia’s history, Talley is the all-time single season scoring leader in NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) history with 1, 439 points. He is the third all-time leading scorer in college basketball history with 3,720 points.

Talley was drafted by the New York Knicks in 1976 and played for the New Jersey Nets. Talley joined the Harlem Globetrotters in 1976. He played professionally in Europe for ten seasons from 1977-1984 scoring 116 points in a single game in Germany in 1978. In 1988, Talley was inducted into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.

The event is being sponsored by the Pee Dee Regional Education Center’s Personal Pathways To Success™. “Personal Pathways to Success™ is an educational initiative created by the Education and Economic Development Act of 2005. It is designed to give students the educational tools they need to build successful futures.”

Dr. Flossie Bartell and Dillon High School principal Lynda Cottingham both serve on the Pee Dee Regional Education Center Advisory Board.